Statement of Schindler Family - "We have been banned from seeing Terri for 49 days."

 

May 17, 2004

This morning at 11 AM ET, at a press conference, Bob Schindler released the following statement:

 

Thank you for coming here today.

 

My family is so very thankful to the Clearwater Police Department for doing such a thorough and deliberate job with their investigation and for finally proving that these charges were completely baseless.

 

As horrifying as the last six weeks were, I am grateful to the men and women of the Police Department for undertaking their duties seriously and fairly.

 

We are sorry the taxpayers had to pay for an investigation that turned out to be a total waste of law enforcement resources.

 

We have been banned from seeing Terri for 49 days.

 

Why are we being kept from our own daughter?

 

We have not done anything wrong, the police agreed. 

 

For the past 14 years, my family has endured a hardship that is beyond description. I'm certain that any parent can imagine the horror of such a devastating incident happening to one of your children. It is difficult and heartbreaking to say the least. But what is unbearable is when evil people will go to any length to execute my daughter for their own selfish reasons: They are and will profit financially if my daughter is executed by dehydration and starvation.

 

My daughter is not in a persistent vegetative state.

 

This is a point that many who have reported on the case in the past simply do not understand.

 

Terri is able to laugh and cry and to respond to us when we visit her.

 

She complies with requests and does her best to please those around her.

 

She has moods.

 

She has good days and bad days -- just like you or I.

 

She laughs at my stupid jokes.

 

She cries when we leave.

 

She lights up when she sees her mother.

 

She complains when she is not comfortable.

 

She giggles when her mother plays with her hair.

 

She gets frustrated, happy, tearful, tired, excited -- everything you and I do.

 

She just does it in the only way she can.

 

If she were not denied access to the simplest of rehabilitative techniques, she would be in far better shape.

 

We are very concerned that Terri is receiving sub-standard medical and dental care.

 

Her teeth are rotting and 5 have been extracted.

 

She is not receiving any rehabilitative therapy whatsoever.

 

For years we have argued in court that Terri deserves proper medical and dental care, but our pleas have been ignored.

 

There is no reason for this wonderful young woman to die.

 

With proper medical care and therapy, there is hope for Terri.

 

Not only do these people insist on executing my daughter, they are trying to do it as quickly as possible.

 

We ask that families and parents out there show their support by contacting the Florida Supreme Court and urging them not to rush through this case.

 

It is amazing to think that, in America, it is easier to execute someone who has committed no crime, than someone who has.

 

Why is my daughter still not allowed to see her mother?

 

She is alive, she is aware, she knows and misses her family.

 

With your help, the truth will be told.

 

Thank you. Bob Schindler

 

(Note: A hearing is scheduled for May 26, 2004, to hopefully "allow" Terri's REAL family to visit their daughter/sister again. How crazy is this, in a so-called "civilized" society? Many, MANY more good people need to get involved, speak up, sign petitions and polls, attend Saving Terri Rallies -- add your voices to ours, Please! Don't you think that more than fourteen years is long enough for Terri to still be at Michael's pitiless mercy?)

 

~~~  Saving Terri Rallies  ~~~

 

http://journals.aol.com/shjusticeforall/SavingTerriSchiavo/